Glenn Wheatley’s wife, Gaynor, says John Farnham needs to know how loved he is

She lost her husband, Glenn Wheatley, just a few months ago and as she watches their friend John Farnham fight cancer, Gaynor Wheatley says she “can’t lose them both”.

Gaynor Wheatley has spoken about the heartbreak of losing her husband, legendary manager Glenn Wheatley, combined with the pain of watching their best friend John Farnham battle cancer.

“Honestly, just when I think it can’t get any worse, it does. So I’m not going to think that anymore. I’m just going to roll on,” Gaynor told Sunshine Coast radio station 92.7 Mix FM on Tuesday.

She added: “I can’t lose both of them”.

Glenn Wheatley, Farnham’s best mate and long-time manager, died from Covid complications in February at the age of 74.

Gaynor and Glenn Wheatley at their Melbourne home.

Farnham is recovering in ICU after having a cancerous tumour removed from his mouth during a 12-hour surgery last Tuesday.

The Whispering Jack star had part of his jaw removed in the procedure, sparking fears the beloved performer might not be able to sing again.

“He’s sitting up, he’s communicating,” Gaynor said on Tuesday. “He can’t speak yet, he can’t talk because he’s got quite a bit of surgery around his chin. He’s clearly communicating and bright.”

The late Glenn Wheatley with singer John Farnham.

Gaynor said Farnham was “absolutely fine” when she saw him and his wife, Jill, in Port Douglas a few weeks ago. “He was not sick,” she said.

However, it was only when Jill noticed John grimacing in pain from a mouth ulcer, she insisted he get checked by a doctor.

“He was just biting it on his teeth,” Gaynor said. “Then Jill said, What’s that in your mouth?’ She took him straight to the doctor. He would have left it.

“It’s a male trait. ‘I am fine,’” Gaynor said. “I listened to Glenn go, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine.’”

She said John, and family, are overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have flooded in since John was admitted to hospital last week.

John Farnham performs in 1991.

Glenn Wheatley and John Farnham in 1990.

“I think he needs to know how loved he is,” Gaynor said. “We can’t lose him. I can’t lose them both, absolutely not.”

She also repeated comments she made to the Herald Sun on Monday, that Glenn would have booked a comeback concert at the MCG to inspire John’s road to recovery.

“I thought Glenn would have pencilled in a date at the MCG, don’t you worry about that,” Gaynor said. “We are feeling quite buoyed. You never tell a Farnham not to do anything, or you can’t do anything because they will prove you wrong time and time again”.

Asked if Farnham will perform again, Gaynor said: “I’d love a crystal ball. I just want him to get well. Let’s get him well, up and moving and happy, and see how he feels”.